Men in Black is over 25 years old yet still remains a sci-fi cult classic. The ‘90s movie kicked off a film series as well as a contemporary spinoff. For those interested in the memorable franchise, which still has the potential to expand, this guide will demonstrate where and how to stream the Men in Black franchise in order.
The franchise began as a comic book series from Aircel Comics, which is now owned by Marvel Comics. The comics were inspired by the Men in Black (MIB) conspiracy theory, which posits that secret government agents use tactics like memory-wiping to prevent knowledge of UFOs or other extraterrestrial occurrences from reaching the public. In 1997, director Barry Sonnenfeld and writer Ed Solomon put a comedic spin on the MIB theory.
Men in Black sees Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones take on the roles of Agent J and Agent K, respectively, as they navigate the extraterrestrial-investigating titular organization and form a close bond while saving the world. The movie was a major critical and commercial hit, with its witty script, palpable chemistry between Smith and Lee, and stunning blend of practical effects and CG elements.
By 2002, Men in Black II arrived on the big screen, with Smith and Jones reprising their iconic roles. Rosario Dawson, Johnny Knoxville, Rip Torn, and Michael Jackson also appeared in the film. Once again, it was a significant box office hit, though it suffered from mixed critical reviews for veering too close to the original story.
Fortunately, Men in Black 3 got the series back on track by introducing a time-traveling element. Agent J travels back in time to save Agent K’s life. In the process, he meets the young Agent K (Josh Brolin) from the 1960s. Although it was a well-made, refreshing, and humorous sci-fi movie, it didn’t quite eclipse the original. Still, the moderate critical and box office success should’ve been enough to move forward with Men in Black 4.
Instead, the franchise was rebooted in 2019 with the spinoff Men in Black: International. The film did not feature Smith or Jones; instead, it introduced two new agents, Agent H (Chris Hemsworth) and Agent M (Tessa Thompson), as they investigated a mole in the agency. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the same without Smith and Jones, with many feeling the spinoff and reboot weren’t necessary, resulting in mostly negative reviews.
So far, no news has arisen of further movies in the franchise, although its success and enduring legacy mean the door is never wholly closed on Men in Black 4.
For those interested in diving into the memorable sci-fi series, here’s how to watch the Men in Black franchise in release date order, including the animated series (although it's not canon to the movies).
